Pain is a funny thing.

For some people the irritation of a simple mosquito bite can send them through the roof. While I would never in my wildest dreams think to compare the pain many of you endure on a daily basis with the irritation of a mosquito bite, much can be gleaned from this simple observation.

Have you ever noticed how when a part of your body hurts, no matter how much, as soon as the pain from somewhere else starts to exceed that of the former, your focus shifts to the new area, and the old pain begins to fade in comparison? It is still there in the background, make no mistake, but it seems to hurt less. You see, pain is relative. If you have no pain, the slightest sprain of a muscle can seem agonizing. If on the other hand you suffer from chronic illness like most people here, pain becomes a constant companion, and you are subject to its relativities.

The other funny thing is that for some reason, the same doesn’t necessarily apply the other way around. When a particular part of the body has been hurting for some time, and then the pain goes away all of a sudden, while we gratefully acknowledge this relative improvement in the short term, in the long term our appreciation for this fortunate turn in events is much shorter lived than when the change is for the worst. It is so easy to take less pain for granted.

Am I making any sense? Think about it.

What do the relativities of pain tell us? Well, I can think of two things:

1. Don’t let the relativities of pain rule your life. Live life to the full – no matter how much pain you are in, it could be much worse. Try not to focus too much on the part of your body that is hurting, because chances are that tomorrow another part of you will hurt more in comparison to the pain you are currently experiencing. If you get to tomorrow and this is indeed the case, go back to the beginning of number 1.

2. If you are experiencing an improvement in your condition, enjoy it, savour it, and be grateful (and it goes without saying that number 1 should be applied at all times).

Stay well

Bro

AMEN Bro!!!!

I like you already...lol

Welcome to the site!!!

Lisa

Impressive first post Bro.
Reminds me of the odd times when friends ask why I seem to be in such a good mood on a particular day, why I seem to be smiling a lot more than usual. It confuses them a little when I tell them that it's because I'm not hurting that much that day. Certainly makes them think.
Best wishes,
Tim.

Bro, well said!

Marni Jackson in her book "Pain, the 5th Vital Sign" touches on this. She wrote the book because she was stung by a bee one day while on vacation and spent the afternoon in her hotel room icing it and such. She realized that her whole attention was focussed on the pain from the sting, which got her to wondering about chronic pain and people who live with it.

It is so easy for us to only focus on the part that hurts, especially when our bodies are rife with pain. Sometimes, it's as if that's all we are. Perhaps if, instead of focussing on the pain, we focus on the part that doesn't hurt (there is always at least one spot that doesn't hurt), it might change things ... make it easier to move forward.

Personally, my background precludes me giving myself a break due to pain. It seemed hard-hearted of my teachers when I was in school when they would say that to give in to pain is self-indulgent. The show must go on no matter what and if you aren't here, you'd better be lying on a stainless steel table with a toe-tag. Now, I'm grateful to them because those lessons (if you could call them that) are what made me keep going no matter what - bronchitis, broken limbs, pain, whatever - the show, quite literally, must go on. By the time I was diagnosed, I'd been working this way for so long that I saw no reason to change. All the diagnosis meant was that I had a valid reason to be feeling this way - I wasn't a self-indulgent, lacking in self-discipline loser. That changed the world for me. Made me realize (eventually) just how much I could accomplish once the AS was under control.

The way I see it, there may come a day when no matter how determined I am, I cannot continue. Should that day come, I'll probably succumb kicking and screaming in outrage. But I'm not going to live my life expecting it. Every day that I can live my life the way I want to live it, on my terms, is a gift for which I am grateful. I've had to learn to cut myself some slack at times when disease activity is strong, but that's not giving in - it's being smart and looking after myself so that I can continue as I wish to.

Anyway, sorry, didn't mean to go on so long. Had an amazing visit with my rheumy yesterday and I'm somewhat galvanized.

Hugs,

Bro: definitely a most-impressive first post! and the content is 'bang-on'! I can't wait to read more from you.

Welcome to KickAS!

Rita

You are all right on. I would LOVE to hear about your amazing visit with your rheumie. Hope things are ok with you relatively speaking.

I realized a long time ago that I don't remember what it is like to not hurt so if I am aware of pain, it means I am REALLY hurting. I am so sensitized to it that I have had teeth crowned without anesthetics, moles cut out without anesthetics; whatever has to be done. (Not because I am a masochist but I have trouble with local anesthetics and I can ignore it). It is amazing what the mind can do with everything especially pain. HOWEVER, I am going to throw in that I REALLY hurt today. Couldn't resist.

Looking forward to more posts.

Blessings.
Possi

I have definetly experienced my primary pain easing up, only for my secondary pain to come into full force. Thank god it seems I can only focus on one area of pain at a time! More then that would definetly send me to the funny farm.

I must say, I still acknowledge my sacrum everyday, reaching behind with a quick massage, and am so thankful that I am not feeling pain or inflamation in that area anymore. Its only been about 6 weeks now, but I am still grateful and aware, and have not forgot yet.

I will try have to remember to come back and read this post the next time I have been in screaming pain for more then a few days, with loss of sleep and my usual very bad attitude.

What I find most interesting is, as soon as the pain has subsided, how quickly the bad attitude and depression disappears as well. Like it never happened!

hi Bro......Thank you for reminding me,so true....yes...it can be worse,that is why i'm so thankful...

Quote:

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1. Don’t let the relativities of pain rule your life. Live life to the full – no matter how much pain you are in, it could be much worse. Try not to focus too much on the part of your body that is hurting, because chances are that tomorrow another part of you will hurt more in comparison to the pain you are currently experiencing. If you get to tomorrow and this is indeed the case, go back to the beginning of number 1.

2. If you are experiencing an improvement in your condition, enjoy it, savour it, and be grateful (and it goes without saying that number 1 should be applied at all times).

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I know the joy of the Lord is my strength which comfort me...
With all pain comes a resurrection,it is true also that we have little power over most pain suffering, but we can control how we let the pain affect our lives...pain can deepen our faith and makes us sensitive to the suffering of others who are in worser shape
I had to respond to your post...it really touch base with me too. how we feel for the rest of our life is under our control...

Pain is a part of our lives...The Joy in me always out weigh my pain...Blessings